Public Good In Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged

The idea of public good plays a significant role in Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. The idea of public good is difficult to define, and is often based on individuals’ perceptions of what they desire and want in their own lives. Practically, when individuals conceptualize the public good they think about it in terms of standard of living, equality, opportunity, freedom, etc. However, each person has a different understanding of what values, and what combination of values, makes up the public good. For this reason many argue that the public good can only be understood as the collection or aggregate of individual’s wants and desires. However, others argue that for the most amount of good to be realized for the most people, some individuals must sacrifice

She primarily accomplishes this through creating characters who represent her perceptions of each economic system. In Jim Taggart, Rand not only portrays man’s limitations in being motivated by the public good, but also the economic system of socialism. It is important to note that Jim represents the very worst of socialism. While he views himself as a hopeful idealist motivated by his desire to benefit others, the reality of this façade is clear to the reader early on. This is understandable given Rand’s view of socialism, however. For Rand, one who advocates for such an economic system as socialism on the grounds of helping others is necessarily lying to themselves. Jim’s true motives are especially dark, but the crucial aspect of Jim is that he is deceiving himself. Rand would argue that this has broad applications, even when the reality of individuals’ motives differs from Jim’s. However, in looking at Jim’s beliefs about himself, the nature of socialism becomes clear. In chapter three, Jim discusses the current state of the economy with Orren Boyle and Wesley Mouch, two characters in whom elements of socialism can also be seen. In this conversation, Jim states that “disunity seems to be the basic cause of all social problems”. Income inequality, which socialism aims to correct, is often perceived as harmful due to the

The most notable of these characters is Mr. Thompson, in whom fascism is clearly portrayed. Everything Mr. Thompson promotes is for the sake of the nation. Much of this can be seen in the aftermath of John Galt’s radio address. Immediately after the speech ends, Mr. Thompson does not want the people to think this address was unauthorized as this might weaken public trust in and opinion of the government. When Dr. Stadler states that Galt should be killed, Mr. Thompson is against the idea because Galt is what they need to get the nation back on track. Mr. Thompson is confident that Galt will be willing to cooperate because he can offer political power and influence, and to Mr. Thompson this is the greatest thing which can be offered. In all of Mr. Thompson’s actions, it is evident that he places value on the nation at the expense of the individual. In The Doctrine of Fascism, Mussolini describes in depth how the individual is second to the nation; in order for the nation to progress the individual must forsake his own selfish desires (Mussolini, 1932). These ideas are consistent with Mr. Thompson’s views of the nation and individual. Further, fascism sought to control industry nominally through influence. Fascism can also be seen in the unification acts. Jim